A morning conversation with the Pope

Me: Good Morning Pope!

Pope: no response

Me: How are you this morning?

Pope: no response

Me: Would you like some applesauce?

Pope: Apple! Aye! Ah!

Hey, it's something! Love, ya Pope!

Lfie long learning

I try not to compare Pope to other kids his age, typical kids, because I know Pope is not typical. He's on his own time line for development. Still, it can be difficult. As I was surfing blogs, I came across this post from Love that Max, a blog that is dedicated to a family raising a son with special needs. It's a great read and I am grateful to see other bloggers post such encouragement!

Trip

We're going away for the kid's Spring Break this year. It's been 2 years since we've taken a real family vacation (and Pope's first) so I think we're due. I'm trying to do some things ahead of time in preparation for this trip. One thing I think we need to do for Pope is get him an identification tag. Pope does not do well with a bracelet (many experiences with hospital bracelets have told me this) so I'm thinking about a necklace he can wear. While doing some research, I found this at Lauren's Hope. Lauren's has taken medical alerts to a whole new level of cool... no?

Church and other fun stuff

Sunday morning Mass lasts about an hour. I can't remember the last time we missed a Mass. Mike and I even made it to Mass both times we were in China adopting our children. I think it's interesting to think that both children attended their very first Catholic Mass in their birth country and in their native language.

The Princess is well seasoned at Masses. She has been going since she was 11 months old. And now that she is in her 3rd year of Catholic school, I think she really understands the Mass and can participate. She is preparing for her First Holy Communion later this Spring and is making her first Penance next weekend. It's a big year for her. And I know she's going to really enjoy when she can fully participate. She even has plans to become an alter server, something her father and I fully support!

The Pope struggles a bit. He's a wiggly guy and an hour is a long time to sit. He has very little attention span for sitting and listening to someone "lecture". We try to keep him busy in other ways... books, snacks, the iPad... Some Sunday's are better than others. This was a great Sunday!

Fancy Kids

The Princess got new glasses this past week. I received a note home from the nurse that she failed her yearly routine eye test, so we too her to an optometrist and, sure enough, she's myopic. It's actually pretty common in Asians, so I'm not surprised. Her correction, at this point, is pretty mild, but I suspect it will get worse as she ages. She loves her glasses now, but I'm sure she'll want contacts by the time she 13.
The Pope and I had a little fun playing "dress up" with Daddy's shirt and tie. I like the first photo... here he still looks like a little boy. I worry about Pope growing up too fast. He hasn't even been here a year and he seemed like such a baby when he arrived. He's come such a long way in such a short time!

Poster boy...

Every now and then, I capture a photo of the Pope that makes me think he should be the poster boy for happy blind children everywhere... This would definitely be one of them!

Run!

The Pope has recently learned to run. Pretty incredible when you figure that, 10 months ago, he walked with trepidation; cautiously putting one foot in front of the other, barely moving through his environment. These days he's discovered running and runs with great joy! He especially enjoys a race, even if's only against himself. He loves the anticipation of the race start... "Ready?... Get set!... Go!..." Sometime I'll add some counting to lengthen the start and his giggling intensifies! Wonder if there is a sport for blind runners?